The Provision of After-Hours Service

Policy

Veterinarians engaged in providing a direct service to the public for the treatment of animals under their care must make proper provision at all times for the relief of pain and suffering in those animals, either personally or by arrangement with colleagues. Although a veterinarian is not obliged to attend an animal that is not in his/her care, he/she is required to offer realistic options in an emergency.

Explanation

Under the Code of Professional Conduct, veterinarians have a responsibility to prevent and relieve animal suffering, and to maintain and enhance the health and welfare of animals. However, the prime consideration must be to the welfare of animals under their care (i.e. those belonging to bona fide clients). Veterinarians in clinical practice have a responsibility to provide service to animals under their care 24 hours per day.

Section 6.5 of the Code of Professional Conduct (Continuity of clinical services) details the expectations for provision of clinical services after hours.

Guidelines

1. At times when professional service cannot be provided by the practice, e.g. at night, weekends or other off-duty periods or for reason of sickness, holiday or emergency, then arrangements must be made to provide the after-hours service. A written agreement with the veterinarian or practice providing the relieving service is strongly advised.
2. Re-directing after-hours calls to a colleague or practice without their knowledge and consent is not acceptable.
3. Veterinarians involved in providing specialised services such as those in referral practices, embryo transfer operations, de-sexing clinics, vaccination and mobile clinics are also obliged to provide a 24 hour service for animals under their care.
4. Veterinarians involved in clinical practice must ensure that the public is adequately informed of the means of access to after-hours service. This information must be made available by means of a telephone answering service and also by a clearly visible notice at the unattended premises. It is highly recommended that every opportunity be used to publicise access to the after-hours service, including inclusion in advertisements, websites and newsletters.
5. For veterinarians offering specialist or particular services to clients over a wide geographic area, Section 7.5(ii) of the Code of Professional Conduct makes the following comment:
   “Veterinarians offering particular services to geographically distant clients must equally observe the requirement to ensure provision of a continuous emergency service. Where circumstances are such that the veterinarian cannot personally provide this, specific prior arrangements must be made with colleagues who can do so and provide their colleagues in the area and the mutual client with a specifically arranged emergency service locally.”
6. The Code of Professional Conduct requires that in an emergency, veterinarians must ‘give or arrange aid to injured or sick animals within the limits of their competence and available resources’.
7. If requested to provide emergency services to non bona fide clients then the veterinarian’s duty is not necessarily to attend the animal. However, the veterinarian should consider the following:
   1. There should be sufficient enquiry to assess the degree of emergency and how the case might be managed;
   2. Whether the animal is within realistic geographical proximity to provide service;
   3. Whether the veterinarian and/or practice have the necessary competency, experience and equipment for the particular species or situation;
   4. Whether it is realistic for the practice to attend at that time, taking into account factors such as other emergency calls, being able to continue provide emergency service to bona fide clients, staff availability etc. 
8. If the veterinarian decides not to attend an emergency involving an animal that is not under his/her care, s/he still has an obligation to handle the call in a professional manner and to offer realistic alternative solutions. This includes small animal practitioners requested to attend large animals. Options may include:
   1. Referring callers to animal welfare inspectors, including the SPCA or Police;
   2. Recommending euthanasia.
9. The veterinarian is not the only one with obligations. Under the Animal Welfare Act, the owner of an animal that is ill or injured, and every person in charge of such an animal, must, where practicable, ensure that the animal receives treatment that alleviates any unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress being suffered by the animal. Euthanasia may be the appropriate course of action in some circumstances.

For definitions of ‘under the care of’ and ‘emergency care’ as they relate to the pig and poultry industries, see the NZVA ‘Guidelines for Prescribing or Dispensing Dedication for Veterinarians Working in the Pig Industry’ and ‘Guidelines for Prescribing and Authorising Prescription Medicines and Prescription Animal Remedies for Veterinarians Working in the Poultry Industry’.

Policy Files: 

1i - After Hours - 16Nov06.pdf